Dredging apparatus



(No Model.) 2 Sheets-Sheet 1. J. EDWARDS & J. R. P. KELLY.

DREDGING APPARATUS.

No. 366,468. Patented July 12, 1887.

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(No Model.) 2 Sheets-Sheet 2. J. EDWARDS 8v J. R. F. KELLY.

DREDGING APPARATUS.

No. 366,468. Patented July 12, 1887.

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JOSEPH EDYVARDS AND JAMES It. F. KELLY, OF BROOKLYN, NEWV YORK.

DREDGING APPARATUS.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 366,468, dated July 12, 1887,

Application tiled February 1-1, 1887. 'Serial No. 227,562. (No model.)

To 50% whom it may concern.-

Be it known that we, J osnrrr EDWARDS and J Ar as R. F. KELLY, citizens of the'United States, residing in Brooklyn, Kings county, and State of New York, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Dredging Apparatus, of which the following isa specification, reference being had to the accompanying drawings.

Certain improvements consist specially in a dredgingdrag composed of a series of looselysuspended diggers or plows,by means of which the earth or mud at the bottom of a river or harbor is loosened, of a series of pressure-jets arranged in conjunction with the loosely suspended diggers or plows, by means of which a constant abrasion of the loosened mud or earth is brought about, and of an inverted funnel or nozzle to which the said diggers and jet-nozzles are attached, and up through which by suction the loosened material, mingled with water, is withdrawn for deposit elsewhere.

Certain improvements also consist in a special supporting framework projected from the dredging end or side of a staging, scow, or vessel directly to the dredgingdrag, through which all support and necessary movement is conveyed in the operation of said drag, thereby preventing any direct or undue strain from coming upon the drag itself, the suction or discharge connections, the pressure-connections for jets, or upon the several bearings, swivels, and steps of the same.

Other improvements consist in the combination of the several portions or details, collectively or with each other, of which the dredging apparatus is composed, as may hereinafter be described or claimed.

In the drawings, Figurel represents a general elevation of a dredging apparatus embodying our improvements. Fig. 2 represents a plan view of the same. Figs. 3, 4, and 5 represent a plan, front and side view of a dredging-drag presenting improved details of construction and method of operation. Fig. 6

represents a transverse section on line a" x of Fig. 5 and through one of the jets, showing preferred method of putting the parts together. Fig. 7 is an enlarged View of manifold with four jets attached thereto and five diggers suspended from the same.

The number of jets and loosely suspended diggers may be increased to suit the nature of the bottom to be worked. The radial lines from jet-nozzles show method of directing the jets in their work. Fig.8 is adetail view of ilap-valve for supplying pressure to jets in either manifold to suit direction in which the work is being done.

Similar letters of reference designate like parts in all the figures.

A designates the loosely-suspended diggers; B,a pair of manifolds to which the jet-nozzles are secured, Varying in size and number according to the nature and amount of discharge required.

0 is an inverted funnel strongly framed, to which the manifolds B are attached, and from and within which the diggers are suspended. This inverted funnel O is formed, preferably, with an easy taper to the nozzle, up through which by direct suction the disintegrated ma terial mixed with water is drawn. To prevent choking the suction, a water-valve, O, is attached to the upper portion of inverted funnel, and when too much material and too little water gets into the suctionpipes an extra and independent supply of water can be sooured. To supply the manifolds with pressure, preferably of water, the inlets Band connections D to pressure-pump are provided, the connectionsl) being made flexible, preferably of rubber.

In the section, Fig. 6, a pair of manifolds are represented as attached to the siding of the inverted funnel O,and branch connections D provided for'eaeh. These branch connections are continued up toward the vessel or scow and brought together at earliest opportunity in a Y-connection, as shown at O in Figs. 1, 2, and 8, and a flap-valve, d, (see Fig. 8,) set at the junction of the arms to control the inlet to either of the connections leading to manifolds B. The flap-valve (l is controlled automatically or by power applied from the scow, staging,or vessel. As represented in the drawings, Fig. 8, the flap-valved has a double handle, to the two ends of which hold is taken through cables d, either one of which being pulled closes the opposite branch connection leading to manifolds.

The water-valve C may be a balanced valve,

which, upon internal suction being reduced, owing to the choking of the suction-connection, opens and admits a special supply of I water automatically, or it may be operated as shown in Fig. 5, where hold is taken of the handle by cable or rod 0 at the handle (a The maximum of weight being on the side of the yalve, it will shut as soon as released and openwhen a strain is put upon the cable. A spring, 0, may be located behind the valve to assist in the closing, or the suction of the fun-. nel may assist.

1 The manifolds B are shown set at an angle to each other and to the radius of movements, (see Fig. 3;) but the funnel C may be shaped to suit choice or requirements, the neck 0 being of any suitable length, and the manifolds and diggers attached below, as shown in Fig. 6. To efiject necessary movement or travel of the dredgingdrag and provide for its successful operating, a supporting frame work, as shown at E, isattached to it and continued to a staging on shore or to a scow or vessel on water, as may be necessary. Here the framework is attached to a self-adjusting hanger, F,

to permit of radial movement in any direc tion. The framing being stiff and non-elastic and being rigidly attached to the drag, takes all the thrust'and strain of movement and work and relieves the several flexible connections.

and bearings from undue strain. A boom, G,

is similarly connected to the vessel and ex tended'upward and outward above the dragframing E, from which the drag, by means of cables, is raised or lowered, as required. Side cables, 9, areprovided and connection made with hoisting engine'or power to move the drag in a circular path, controlled by central attachment, F. V to framing E well down toward the drag, and the direction of their pull is controlled by the adjustable side timbers, H. These timbers are suction-hose forms part of suction-connection at 0* to accommodate varying depth of water and out. These several portions are securely suspended from or attached directly to the frame-work E. Beyond the branch connections 0 of the pressure pipes a flexible connection, D, is made to accommodate the varying reach and depth of dredging. already referred to. Both suction and pressure connections are preferably provided with swiveljoints, as at 0 attached to the vessel, placed in direct centerline of drag movement and framecenter F. I

A suction-pump, I, is placed on the vessel and connection made with suction-funnel of the drag. A discharge-pipe, J, is erected to connect with pump I, and is provided with a swivel-joint, K, andswinging branch J. This branch J, being swung upon swivel-joint K,

These cablesg are attached.

- and the drag being lowered to place, the side timbers, H, are adjusted to a direct pull of the cables 9 in either direction and the drag moved to and fro upon F as a center. The diggers A are loosely suspended from rod a, and, being backed by the manifold and funnelframing intheir work, drop by gravity into position for digging. stances, when the drag is moving in a direction as indicated by arrow 3 Fig. 6, the lefthand set of diggers drop to their work, while the right-hand setdrag idly over the surface of river-bottom, and vice versa,with the movement of the drag. In either case the ,flapvalve d of connection 0 is swung to suitably operate the jets upon the diggers while at work. Thus the diggers loosen the earth or mud; the jets break it up and mix it with water, and the suction, drawing it up, passes it through the discharge-connections, to be deposited in any direction from the vessel.

What we claim as new, and desire to secure by Letters Patent, is

1. Adredging-drag consisting of aninverted suction-funnel, to the lower portion of which are attached manifolds provided with jet-noz-' which are attached manifolds provided with jet-nozzles, and a series of diggers loosely suspended within said inverted funnel, in combination with a relief water-valve, substantially as and for purposes specified.

3. A dredging-drag consisting of an inverted suction-funnel, to the lower portion of which are attached manifolds provided with jet-nozzles and a series of loosely-suspended diggers, in combination with means for raising, lowering, and placing the same, substantially as shown and described.

4. In combination with a dredging-drag consisting of an inverted suction-funnel, to the lower portionof which are attached manifolds provided with jet-nozzles and a series of Under such circum- 'IIO loosely-suspended diggers, the supporting frame-work to which said dredging-drag is attached, th'e swing-center F, and means for oploosely-suspended diggers suspended directly and D, substantially as and for purposes set forth.

7. Inadredging apparatus, the combination of a dredgingdrag of the character herein shown and described, pressure-connections D, branching connections 0, side connections, D, and manifolds B, substantially as and for purposes specified.

8. In a dredging apparatus, in combination with a dredgingdrag consisting of an inverted suction-funnel, to the lower portion of which are attached manifolds provided with jet-nozzles and a series of loosely-suspended diggers, supporting framework E, carrying said drag, boom G, a vessel or staging to which said supporting frame-work and boom are attached, and means for raising, lowering, and operating said drag, substantially as set forth.

9. In a dredging apparatus, the combination of the dredging-drag herein shown and described, suction-connections 0 C, and C water-valve G pressure-connections D, O, and

D, suction-pump I, and pressure-pump M, all substantially as and for purposes set forth.

10. In a dredging apparatus, the combina tion of a dredging-drag of the character herein specified, suction-connections 0*, O, and G suction-pump I, discharge-connections J and J, and swivcl-jointK in discharge-connection J, substantially as and for purposes specified. 11. In a dredging apparatus, the combination of a dredgingdrag of the character herein specified, a supporting frame-work, E, suction and pressure connections, as specified, suction-pu mp I, pressure-pump M, and dischargeconnections J and J, provided with a swiveljoint, K, substantially as and for purposes specified.

JOSEPH EDWARDS. JAMES R. F. KELLY.

\Vitnesses:

WM. H. WEIGHTMAN, M. E. Romans. 

